Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Exposure To Environmental Microbiota Explains Persistent Abdominal Pain And Irritable Bowel Syndrome After A Major Flood, Nurfadhilah Yusof, Nurhazwani Hamid, Zheng Feei Ma, Rona Marie Lawenko, Wan Mohd Zahiruddin Wan Mohammad, Deirdre Collins, Min Tze Liong, Toshitaka Odamaki, Jinzhong Xiao, Yeong Yeh Lee

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background

After an environmental disaster, the affected community is at increased risk for persistent abdominal pain but mechanisms are unclear. Therefore, our study aimed to determine association between abdominal pain and poor water, sanitation and hygiene (WaSH) practices, and if small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and/or gut dysbiosis explain IBS, impaired quality of life (QOL), anxiety and/or depression after a major flood.

Results

New onset abdominal pain, IBS based on the Rome III criteria, WaSH practices, QOL, anxiety and/or depression, SIBO (hydrogen breath testing) and stools for metagenomic sequencing were assessed in flood victims. Of 211 participants, 37.9 % ( …

Sensitive Droplet Digital Pcr Method For Detection Of Tert Promoter Mutations In Cell Free Dna From Patients With Metastatic Melanoma, Ashleigh C. Mcevoy, Leslie Calapre, Michelle Pereira, Tindaro M. Giardina, Cleo Robinson, Muhammad A. Khattak, Tarek M. Meniawy, Antonia L. Pritchard, Nicholas K. Hayward, Benhur Amanuel, Michael J. Millward, Mel R. Ziman Dr, Elin S. Gray

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background:

Currently mainly BRAF mutant circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is utilized to monitor patients with melanoma. TERT promoter mutations are common in various cancers and found in up to 70 % of melanomas, including half of BRAF wildtype cases. Therefore, a sensitive method for detection of TERT promoter mutations would increase the number of patients that could be monitored through ctDNA analysis.

Methods:

A droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) assay was designed for the concurrent detection of chr5:1,295,228 C > T and chr5:1,295,250 C > T TERT promoter mutations. The assay was validated using 39 melanoma cell lines and 22 matched plasma and …

The Indirect Efficacy Comparison Of Dna Methylation In Sputum For Early Screening And Auxiliary Detection Of Lung Cancer: A Meta-Analysis, Di Liu, Hongli Peng, Qi Sun, Zhongyoa Zhao, Xinwei Yu, Siqi Ge, Hao Wang, Honghong Fang, Qing Gao, Jiaonan Liu, Lijuan Wu, Manshu Song, Youxin Wang

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background

DNA methylation in sputum has been an attractive candidate biomarker for the non-invasive screening and detection of lung cancer.

Materials and Methods

Databases including PubMed, Ovid, Cochrane library, Web of Science databases, Chinese Biological Medicine (CBM), Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang, Vip Databases and Google Scholar were searched to collect the diagnostic trials on aberrant DNA methylation in the screening and detection of lung cancer published until 1 December 2016. Indirect comparison meta-analysis was used to evaluate the diagnostic value of the included candidate genes.

Results

The systematic literature search yielded a total of 33 studies including a …

A Study Protocol For A Randomised Controlled Trial Of An Interactive Web-Based Intervention: Cancercope, Suzanne K. Chambers, Lee Ritterband, Frances Thorndike, Lisa Nielsen, Joanne Aitken, Samantha Clutton, Paul Scuffham, Philippa Youl, Bronwyn Morris, Peter Baade, Jeffrey Dunn

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Introduction:

Approximately 35% of patients with cancer experience clinically significant distress, and unmet psychological supportive care needs are prevalent. This study describes the protocol for a randomised controlled trial (RCT) to assess the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of an internet-based psychological intervention for distressed patients with cancer.

Methods and analysis:

In phase I, the intervention was developed on an interactive web platform and pilot tested for acceptability using a qualitative methodology with 21 patients with cancer. Phase II is an RCT underway with patients with or at risk of elevated psychological distress comparing: (1) static patient education website with (2) …

Can Exercise Suppress Tumour Growth In Advanced Prostate Cancer Patients With Sclerotic Bone Metastases? A Randomised, Controlled Study Protocol Examining Feasibility, Safety And Efficacy, Nicolas H. Hart, Robert Newton, Nigel Spry, Dennis Taaffe, Suzanne K. Chambers, Kynan Feeney, David Joseph, Andrew D. Redfern, Tom Ferguson, Daniel A. Galvao

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Introduction

Exercise may positively alter tumour biology through numerous modulatory and regulatory mechanisms in response to a variety of modes and dosages, evidenced in preclinical models to date. Specifically, localised and systemic biochemical alterations produced during and following exercise may suppress tumour formation, growth and distribution by virtue of altered epigenetics and endocrine–paracrine activity. Given the impressive ability of targeted mechanical loading to interfere with metastasis-driven tumour formation in human osteolytic tumour cells, it is of equal interest to determine whether a similar effect is observed in sclerotic tumour cells. The study aims to (1) establish the feasibility and safety …

Decreased Body Mass Index In The Preclinical Stage Of Autosomal Dominant Alzheimer's Disease, Stephan A. Müller, Oliver Preische, Hamid R. Sohrabi, Susanne Gräber, Mathias Jucker, Janko Dietzsch, John M. Ringman, Ralph Martins, Eric M. Mcdade, Peter R. Schofield, Bernardino F. Ghetti, Martin N. Rossor, Neill R. Graff-Radford, Johannes Levin, Douglas R. Galasko, Kimberly A. Quaid, Stephen P. Salloway, Chengjie Xiong, Tammie L. Benzinger, Virginia D. Buckles, C. L. Masters, Reisa A. Sperling, Randall J. Bateman, John C. Morria, Christoph Laske

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The relationship between body-mass index (BMI) and Alzheimeŕs disease (AD) has been extensively investigated. However, BMI alterations in preclinical individuals with autosomal dominant AD (ADAD) have not yet been investigated. We analyzed cross-sectional data from 230 asymptomatic members of families with ADAD participating in the Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer Network (DIAN) study including 120 preclinical mutation carriers (MCs) and 110 asymptomatic non-carriers (NCs). Differences in BMI and their relation with cerebral amyloid load and episodic memory as a function of estimated years to symptom onset (EYO) were analyzed. Preclinical MCs showed significantly lower BMIs compared to NCs, starting 11.2 years before …

Determinants Of Neonatal Mortality In Rural And Urban Nigeria: Evidence From A Population-Based National Survey, Emmanuel O. Adewuyi, Yun Zhao

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background

Significant reduction in the global burden of neonatal mortality was achieved through the millennium development goals. In Nigeria, however, only a marginal reduction was realized. This study assesses the rural–urban differences in neonatal mortality rate (NMR) and the associated risk factors in Nigeria.

Methods

The dataset from the 2013 Nigeria demographic and health survey (NDHS), disaggregated by rural–urban residence (n = 20 449 and 9935, respectively), was explored using univariate, bivariate, and multivariable analysis. Complex samples analysis was applied to adjust for the unequal selection probabilities due to the multi-stage cluster sampling method used in the 2013 NDHS. The …

Family Group Conferencing—Its Added Value In Mental Health Care, Gert Schout, Ellen Meijer, Gideon De Jong

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Worldwide, there is a growing emphasis on reducing coercion and involving social networks in the care of mental health clients. Nurses should encourage their clients to regain control over their lives, preferably with less coercion and with help from their social network. During four years, a Dutch evaluation study was deployed to determine the applicability of mobilising help from social networks of people with psychiatric problems. Specifically the potential of Family Group Conferencing was examined. In this discursive article the question, ‘what Family Group Conferencing adds to the existing methods that aim to reduce coercion in mental health care and …

Comparison Of The Hui3 And The Eq-5d-3l In A Nursing Home Setting, Tom Lung, Kirsten Howard, Christopher Etherton-Beer, Moira Sim, Gill Lewin, Glenn Arendts

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background:

Accurately assessing changes in the quality of life of older people living permanently in nursing homes is important. The multi-attribute utility instrument most commonly used and recommended to assess health-related quality of life in the nursing home population is the three-level EuroQol EQ-5D-3L. To date, there have been no studies using the Health Utilities Index Mark III (HUI3). The purpose of this study was to compare the level of agreement and sensitivity to change of the EQ-5D-3L and HUI3 in a nursing home population.

Methods:

EQ-5D-3L and HUI3 scores were measured as part of a cluster randomised controlled trial …

Kinematic Repeatability Analyses Of Multi-Segment Foot Motion In University-Level Ballet Dancers, Sarah Carter, Nahoko Sato, Luke Hopper

ECU Posters

Background:

Dancers are susceptible to overuse foot and ankle injuries, however there is a lack biomechanical studies examining foot mechanics to explain the causality of these injuries. The purpose of this study was to determine the intra and inter-assessor repeatability of a modified Rizzoli Foot Model (RFM) for ballet dancers.

Methods: Six university-level ballet dancers performed the following trials in randomized order, natural stance, turnout plié and stance, and two dynamic trials; turnout rise and flex-point-flex movement. A twelve-camera motion capture system were used to track fourteen reflective markers and one triad on the following segments: shank, entire foot, hindfoot, …

Regulation Of Core Body Temperature And The Immune System Determines Species Longevity, Ian J. Martins

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The anti-aging gene Sirtuin 1 has now major relevance to genetics and the fields of pharmacology, toxicology, neuroscience, immunology, biochemistry and cell/molecular biology. Advances in anti-aging therapy are now essential to prevent mitochondrial apoptosis to promote longevity with the prevention of accelerated ageing. Calorie restriction that maintains the anti-aging gens changes the core body temperature and promotes species longevity. Stress and calorie consumption are sensitive to Sirt 1 function with relevance heat shock protein 70 metabolism and mitochondrial biogenesis. Sirt 1 regulation of the circadian rhythm mediates melatonin effects on core body temperature regulation and immune responses. Diet and fat …

Pd-L1 Expressing Circulating Tumour Cells In Head And Neck Cancers, Arutha Kulasinghe, Chris Perry, Liz Kenny, Majid E. Warkiani, Colleen Nelson, Chamindie Punyadeera

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background

Blockade of the PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint pathway is emerging as a promising immunotherapeutic approach for the management and treatment of head and neck cancer patients who do not respond to 1st/2nd line therapy. However, as checkpoint inhibitors are cost intensive, identifying patients who would most likely benefit from anti PD-L1 therapy is required. Developing a non-invasive technique would be of major benefit to the patient and to the health care system.

Case presentation

We report the case of a 56 year old man affected by a supraglottic squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). A CT scan showed a 20 mm right …

Improving Case Ascertainment Of Congenital Anomalies: Findings From A Prospective Birth Cohort With Detailed Primary Care Record Linkage, Chrissy Bishop, Neil Small, Dan Mason, Peter Corry, Roger C. Parslow, Alan H. Bittles, Eamonn Sheridan

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background

Congenital anomalies (CAs) are a common cause of infant death and disability. We linked children from a large birth cohort to a routine primary care database to detect CA diagnoses from birth to age 5 years. There could be evidence of underreporting by CA registries as they estimate that only 2% of CA registrations occur after age 1 year.

Methods

CA cases were identified by linking children from a prospective birth cohort to primary care records. CAs were classified according to the European Surveillance of CA guidelines. We calculated rates of CAs by using a bodily system group for …

Effects Of Different Exercise Modalities On Fatigue In Prostate Cancer Patients Undergoing Androgen Deprivation Therapy: A Year-Long Randomised Controlled Trial, Dennis Taaffe, Robert Newton, Nigel Spry, David Joseph, Suzanne K. Chambers, Robert Gardiner, Brad Wall, Prue Cormie, Kate Bolam, Daniel A. Galvao

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background

Physical exercise mitigates fatigue during androgen deprivation therapy (ADT); however, the effects of different exercise prescriptions are unknown.

Objectives

To determine the long-term effects of different exercise modes on fatigue in prostate cancer patients undergoing ADT.

Design, setting, and participants

Between 2009 and 2012, 163 prostate cancer patients aged 43–90 y on ADT were randomised to exercise targeting the musculoskeletal system (impact loading + resistance training; ILRT; n = 58), the cardiovascular and muscular systems (aerobic + resistance training; ART; n = 54), or to usual care/delayed exercise (DEL; n = 51) for 12 mo across university-affiliated exercise clinics …

Use Of Ultrasound By Registered Nurses—A Systematic Literature Review, Ulrich Steinwandel, Nicholas Gibson, James Charles Rippey, Amanda Towell, Johan Rosman

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background:

In Western Australia (WA), most stable patients undergoing haemodialysis receive treatment in a satellite setting where no doctors are on-site during treatment hours, so nurses must make critical decisions about fluid removal. Some patients regularly experience adverse events during dialysis (intradialytic), often due to excessive ultrafiltration goals, with intradialytic hypotension being particularly challenging. Ultrasound of the inferior vena cava has been previously demonstrated being a rapid and non-invasive method for volume assessment on haemodialysis patients, thus could hold valuable information for the treating nurse.

Aim:

This paper examines the existing literature in regards to the use of …

Predictors Of Pneumococcal Carriage And The Effect Of The 13-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccination In The Western Australian Aboriginal Population, Deirdre A. Collins, Anke Hoskins, Thomas Snelling, Kalpani Senasinghe, Jacinta Bowman, Natalie A. Stemberger, Amanda J. Leach, Deborah Lehmann

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background

The 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) was introduced to prevent invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) in Western Australian (WA) Aboriginal people in 2001. PCV13 replaced PCV7 in July 2011, covering six additional pneumococcal serotypes; however, IPD rates remained high in Aboriginal people in WA. Upper respiratory tract pneumococcal carriage can precede IPD, and PCVs alter serotype distribution.

Methods

To assess the impact of PCV13 introduction, identify emerging serotypes, and assess risk factors for carriage, nasopharyngeal swabs and information on demographic characteristics, health, medication and living conditions from Aboriginal children and adults across WA from August 2008 to November 2014 were …

Physical Activity And Survival Among Long-Term Cancer Survivor And Non-Cancer Cohorts, Anthony Gunnell, Sarah Joyce, Stephania Tomlin, Dennis Taaffe, Prue Cormie, Robert Newton, David Joseph, Nigel Spry, Kristjana Einarsdottir, Daniel A. Galvao

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Evidence suggests physical activity improves prognosis following cancer diagnosis; however, evidence regarding prognosis in long-term survivors of cancer is scarce. We assessed physical activity in 1,589 cancer survivors at an average 8.8 years following their initial diagnosis and calculated their future mortality risk following physical activity assessment. We also selected a cancer-free cohort of 3,145 age, sex, and survey year group-matched cancer-free individuals from the same source population for comparison purposes. Risks for cancer-specific mortality and all-cause mortality in relation to physical activity levels were estimated using Cox regression proportional hazard regression analyses within the cancer and non-cancer cohorts. Physical …

Population-Based Cohort Study In Outcome Of Phased Progression Of Atherosclerosis In China (Persuade): Objective, Rationale And Design, Dong-Kai Shan, Yong Zhou, You-Xin Wang, Xiang Gao, Wei Wang, Jun-Jie Yang, Yun-Dai Chen

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The coronary artery calcification score and pericardial fat volume have recently been reported to be strongly associated with the severity and presence of coronary atherosclerosis. However, no studies have explored the outcome of phased progression of atherosclerosis by non-contrast computed tomography in asymptomatic people in China. The population-based cohort study in outcome of phased progression of atherosclerosis in China (PERSUADE), an observational, longitudinal and prospective cohort study in a target population of healthy subjects based in Jidong Oilfield (China), prospectively analyzes the outcome of phased progression of atherosclerosis by non-contrast computed tomography in healthy population. The results of this study …

Serum Peptidome Profiling For The Diagnosis Of Colorectal Cancer: Discovery And Validation In Two Independent Cohorts, Hao Wang, Chenghua Luo, Shengtao Zhu, Honghong Fang, Qing Gao, Siqi Ge, Haixia Qu, Qingwei Ma, Hongwei Ren, Youxin Wang, Wei Wang

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignant neoplasms worldwide. Except for the existing fecal occult blood test, colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy, no widely accepted in vitro diagnostic methods have been available. To identify potential peptide biomarkers for CRC, serum samples from a discovery cohort (100 CRC patients and 100 healthy controls) and an independent validation cohort (91 CRC patients and 91 healthy controls) were collected. Peptides were fractionated by weak cation exchange magnetic beads (MB-WCX) and analysed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDITOF MS). Five peptides (peaks at m/z 1895.3, 2020.9, 2080.7, 2656.8 and 3238.5) were …

Circulating Tumour Dna (Ctdna) As A Liquid Biopsy For Melanoma, Leslie Calapre, Lydia Warburton, Michael Milward, Mel R. Ziman Dr, Elin S. Gray

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) has emerged as a promising blood-based biomarker for monitoring disease status of patients with advanced cancers. In melanoma, ctDNA has been shown to have clinical value as an alternative tumour source for the detection clinically targetable mutations for the assessment of response to therapy. This review provides a critical summary of the evidence that gives credence to the utility of ctDNA as a biomarker for monitoring of disease status in advanced melanoma and the steps required for its implementation into clinical settings.

Amyloid Β–Associated Cognitive Decline In The Absence Of Clinical Disease Progression And Systemic Illness, Karra Harrington, Yen Lim, David Ames, Jason Hassenstab, Simon Laws, Ralph Martins, Stephanie Rainey-Smith, Joanne Robertson, Christopher Rowe, Olivier Salvado, Vincent Dore, Victor Villemagne, Peter Snyder, Colin Masters, Paul Maruff, Aibl Research Group

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Introduction

High levels of amyloid β (Aβ) are associated with cognitive decline in cognitively normal (CN) older adults. This study investigated the nature of cognitive decline in healthy individuals who did not progress to mild cognitive impairment or dementia.

Method

Cognition was measured over 72 months and compared between low (Aβ−) and high (Aβ+) CN older adults (n = 335) who did not progress to mild cognitive impairment or dementia and who remained free of severe or uncontrolled systemic illness.

Results

Compared to the Aβ− group, the Aβ+ group showed no cognitive impairment at baseline but showed substantial decline …

Activity Behavior And Physiological Profile Of Advanced-Stage Ovarian Cancer Survivors, Christelle Schofield

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Background: Advanced-stage ovarian cancer survivors (OCS) often experience a multitude of disease symptoms and treatment-related side-effects. Additionally, most OCS are older, have comorbidities, are overweight or obese, and report being insufficiently physically active. Ovarian cancer survivors may benefit from exercise oncology interventions to reduce symptom-burden, manage comorbidities, minimize functional decline and maximize health-related quality of life (HRQoL). However, current knowledge gaps regarding the physiological characteristics of OCS throughout the entire survivorship spectrum challenge the development of tailored exercise interventions.

Purpose: The overall purpose of this thesis was to provide a more comprehensive physiological and activity behavior profile of post-treatment advanced-stage …

Lower Leg And Foot Contributions To Turnout In University-Level Female Ballet Dancers: A Preliminary Investigation, Sarah Carter, Alan R. Bryant, Luke Hopper

ECU Posters

Functional turnout in ballet involves maximal external rotation through the lower limb kinetic chain. Hip external rotation, is considered the primary contributor of functional turnout. However, dancers will tend to increase their functional turnout angle through additional tibiofemoral external rotation and pronation of the foot/ankle complex. Hip external rotation measures in functional turnout has received extensive examination in dance science. However, the relationship between the ‘below the hip' assessments with functional turnout is poorly understood. We hypothesis that dancers with greater passive external tibiofemoral rotation (pTFR) and/or pronated stance will have a greater functional turnout angle.

Nineteen female university-level classical …

Reducing Barriers To Consulting A General Practitioner In Patients At Increased Risk Of Lung Cancer: A Qualitative Evaluation Of The Chest Australia Intervention, Sonya Murray, Yvonne Kutzer, Emily Habgood, Peter Murchie, Fiona Walter, Danielle Mazza, Shaouli Shahid, Jon D. Emery

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background

Lung cancer has one of the lowest survival outcomes of any cancer because over two-thirds of patients are diagnosed when curative treatment is no longer possible, partly due to later presentation with symptoms to a healthcare provider.

Objective

To explore the theoretical underpinning of the Scottish CHEST intervention in participants randomized to the intervention group within the CHEST Australia trial.

Methods

A purposive maximum variation sample of participants who received the intervention in the CHEST trial in Perth, Western Australia (N = 13) and Melbourne, Victoria, (N = 7) were interviewed. Patients were asked about their experience …

Exercise Medicine For Advanced Prostate Cancer, Nicolas H. Hart, Daniel A. Galvao, Robert Newton

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Purpose of review:

Exercise is a provocative medicine, known for its preventive, complimentary and rehabilitative role in the management of cancer. Impressively, exercise is also emerging as a synergistic and targeted medicine to enhance symptom control, modulate tumour biology and delay disease progression, with the potential to increase overall survival. Given the complex clinical presentation of advanced prostate cancer patients and their omnipresent comorbidities, this review describes the current and potential role of exercise medicine in advanced prostate cancer.

Recent findings:

Exercise has been shown to be safe, feasible and effective for advanced prostate cancer patients, inclusive of patients with …

Effects And Moderators Of Exercise On Quality Of Life And Physical Function In Patients With Cancer: An Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis Of 34 Rcts, Laurien M. Buffart, Joeri Kalter, Maike G. Sweegers, Kerry S. Courneya, Robert U. Newton, Neil K. Aaronson, Paul B. Jacobsen, Anne M. May, Daniel A. Galvao, Mai J. Chinapaw, Karen Steindorf, Melinda L. Irwin, Martjin M. Stuiver, Sandi Hayes, Kathleen A. Griffith, Alejandro Lucia, Ilse Mesters, Ellen Van Weert, Hans Knoop, Martine M. Goedendorp, Nanette Mutrie, Amanda J. Daley, Alex Mcconnachie, Martin Bohus, Lene Thorsen, Karl-Heinz Schulz, Camille E. Short, Erica L. James, Ron C. Plotnikoff, Gill Arbane, Martina E. Schmidt, Karin Potthoff, Marc Van Beurden, Hester S. Oldenburg, Gabe S. Sonke, Wim H. Van Harten, Rachel Garrod, Kathryn H. Schmitz, Kerri M. Winters-Stone, Miranda J. Velthuis, Dennis Taaffe, Willem Van Mechelen, Marie-Jose Kersten, Frans Nollet, Jennifer Wenzel, Joachim Wiskemann, Irma M. Verdonck-De Leeuw, Johannes Brug

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

This individual patient data meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effects of exercise on quality of life (QoL) and physical function (PF) in patients with cancer, and to identify moderator effects of demographic (age, sex, marital status, education), clinical (body mass index, cancer type, presence of metastasis), intervention-related (intervention timing, delivery mode and duration, and type of control group), and exercise-related (exercise frequency, intensity, type, time) characteristics.

Relevant published and unpublished studies were identified in September 2012 via PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and CINAHL, reference checking and personal communications. Principle investigators of all 69 eligible trials were requested to share IPD from …

Altered Levels Of Blood Proteins In Alzheimer's Disease Longitudinal Study: Results From Australian Imaging Biomarkers Lifestyle Study Of Ageing Cohort, Veer B. Gupta, Eugene Hone, Steve Pedrini, James D. Doecke, Sid E. O'Bryant, Ian James, Ashley I. Bush, Christopher C. Rowe, Victor L. Villemagne, David Ames, Colin L. Masters, Ralph N. Martins

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Introduction

A blood-based biomarker panel to identify individuals with preclinical Alzheimer's disease (AD) would be an inexpensive and accessible first step for routine testing.

Methods

We analyzed 14 biomarkers that have previously been linked to AD in the Australian Imaging Biomarkers lifestyle longitudinal study of aging cohort.

Results

Levels of apolipoprotein J (apoJ) were higher in AD individuals compared with healthy controls at baseline and 18 months (P =.0003) and chemokine-309 (I-309) were increased in AD patients compared to mild cognitive impaired individuals over 36 months (P =.0008).

Discussion

These data suggest that apoJ may have potential in the context …

Insulin Resistance Is Associated With Reductions In Specific Cognitive Domains And Increases In Csf Tau In Cognitively Normal Adults, Simon M. Laws, Scott Gaskin, Amy Woodfield, Velandai K. Srikanth, David G. Bruce, Paul E. Fraser, Tenielle Porter, Philip N. Newsholme, Nadeeja Wijesekara, Samantha C. Burnham, Vincent Doré, Qiaoxin Li, Paul T. Maruff, Colin L. Masters, Stephanie R. Rainey-Smith, Christopher C. Rowe, Olivier Salvado, Victor L. Villemagne, Ralph N. Martins, Giuseppe Verdile

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Growing evidence supports the hypothesis that type 2 diabetes (T2D) increases the risk of developing dementia. Experimental evidence from mouse models demonstrates that the induction of T2D/insulin resistance (IR) can promote the accumulation of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathological features. However, the association of T2D with pathological and clinical phenotypes in humans is unclear. Here we investigate the relationship of indices of IR (HOMA-IR) and pancreatic β-cell function (HOMA-B) with cognitive performance across several domains (Verbal/Visual Episodic Memory, Executive Function, Language and a measure of Global cognition) and AD biomarkers (CSF Aβ42, T-tau/P-tau, hippocampal volume and neocortical Aβ-amyloid burden). We reveal …

Investigating The Practice And Capacity Of Paediatric Occupational Therapists To Promote The Physical Activity Levels Of Children In Western Australia, Sally Coombs

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Reorientation of the Australian health care system to meet the increasing burden of disease requires health workers to develop a focus on disease prevention and health promotion. In Western Australia (WA) a priority area for the promotion of health involves increasing the physical activity levels (PAL) of children in accordance with Australia’s Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines. There is substantial support in the literature for paediatric occupational therapists, who assist children to participate in a range of meaningful occupations, to incorporate the promotion of children’s PAL into their service. However, there is a dearth of research world-wide regarding occupational …

From Gd2o3suspension To Nanocomposite: Synthesis, Properties And Radiation Protection, Ly B. T. La

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This study provides details for the design, preparation of an environmentally friendly, clinically safe and lightweight radiation protective shield made ofGd2O3/epoxy nanocomposite (Gd-nanocomposite) which is proposed as an alternative to traditional toxic lead (Pb)-based aprons for diagnostic X-ray protection. In theory, this particulate nanocomposite can possess significant features of both inorganic particles and organic polymeric matrices. However, in practice, its performance does not simply depend on the sum of the individual contributions of characteristics of the constituent phases but on the interaction of their inner interfaces and the homogeneous dispersion of inorganic particles in the polymer matrix.

The miniaturization of …